By Ashley Zink
GrowFood Carolina:
Making Eating Local Possible
2013 CULINARY COMMUNITY PARTNER: GROWFOOD CAROLINA
Contents 6
Festival Staff, Board of Directors and Committee Members
8
Letter from Richard Jerue Festival Board Chair
10
Letter from Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.
12
Letter from Signature Title Sponsor, BB&T
14 16 17 18
19 20 33 36 46 50 51 52 56
James Beard Foundation Ticketing Information Schedule at-a-Glance Frequently Asked Questions Transportation Information
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 An advertising supplement to The Post and Courier
4 – BB&T CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL®
PHOTO BY H E B A SALAMA PHOTOGRAPHY
Event Map of the Charleston Peninsula Detailed Event Schedule Culinary Village + Grand Tasting Tents Grand Tasting Tent Vendors Lee Brothers: Our Charleston Festival Sponsors Thanks Festival Sponsors Festival Merchandise Special Thanks
Robie Scott, editor Matt Lee and Ted Lee, Rob Young, Ashley Zink, contributing writers Melissa Kelley, Laurie Hellmann, graphic designers Cover poster design by Robert Lange
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CHARLESTONWINEANDFOOD.COM
When a warehouse along downtown Charleston’s industrial Morrison Drive was purchased with the goal of transforming into a central market – complete with an eye-catching mural by local artist David Boatwright – it was almost impossible for the staff, volunteers and board members of the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival® not to notice.The two facilities are practically across Morrison Drive from one another and are among a growing number of businesses moving to the upper reaches of the peninsula. After learning more about GrowFood’s operations and mission, it was a natural selection for the Festival’s 2013 Culinary Community Partner. GrowFood Carolina is technically a “food hub,” which means it’s all about connecting the dots between farmers, retailers and restaurants.The facility provides a space for farmers – who may not have the time or resources to sell to farmer’s markets or restaurants – to drop off their produce, which can be stored until delivered to or picked up by a local chef or retailer. Sara Clow, GrowFood Carolina’s General Manager, is tasked not only with spreading knowledge and understanding of the organization and its goals to the general public, but also with forging relationships with chefs, retailers and farmers throughout the Lowcountry.After only a year and a half in existence, GrowFood Carolina already works with area farmers to get their produce into the hands of Charleston businesses from grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Earth Fare to restaurants including FIG, Husk, EVO, Hominy Grill, The Grocery, Carter’s Kitchen, Slightly North of Broad and many more. “Chefs and restaurants have been our biggest champions, and many say that we’re the solution they’ve been hoping for,” Clow says. “The food and beverage community in Charleston is incredible and I think unique because they are such a tight knit community who really support each other. I can’t say it enough.” A variety of local bold-faced names including chef Sean Brock and authors Matt Lee and
Ted Lee hosted events at GrowFood Carolina’s warehouse during the fall of 2012 to help grow awareness for the organization. It’s hard not to want to jump on the local produce bandwagon after just a few minutes with Clow, whose passion and excitement about empowering farmers and growers is contagious. “Many farmers were hesitant about our model in the beginning, but we’ve grown from five farmers to 35 farmers in a year,” Clow says. “That much growth is through farmer-to-farmer references. When farmers are saying good things about us, we know we’re doing our job!” GrowFood Carolina will host a dedicated tent in the Festival’s Culinary Village in Marion Square open during Culinary Village hours throughout the Festival weekend. Guests can stop by to meet the GrowFood Carolina team, some of the farmers they work with, and sample small bites prepared using fresh local produce. “We’re really excited about the exposure to [the Festival’s] wide, food-focused audience,” Clow says. “GrowFood Carolina and food hubs like it around the country are working hard to revitalize local food systems. The more folks that gain an understanding of the importance of what we’re doing, the better!”